Some programmes are so enjoyable you could never tire of them, aren't they I still haven't finished Cranford though, I dare not put it on when I go to bed because I don't want to wake up a while later and see something that might spoil it for me I need a rainy day off where I can just curl up with the dog and watch the whole series!

That sounds like bliss. I may do that, too, as I haven't watched Cranford in ages.

Can we get some treats in and wear PJ's?!

Yes, yes, yes!

I'm in!  Here's my favourite snack, cashew nuts, and I haven't had them for years

 

I can't eat nuts any more but I loved cashews.

Evening troops  

 

Hope we're all fine and dandy  

Hi Velvet, how are you doing?

Pretty good Yogi  

 

Hope you are too knit two purl one 

Back and front finished and started on the sleeves now.

*night owls* and my apologies for stinking of garlic! Been out for a meal with SIL, it was great fun Yogi <-- night owl hug how about I eat cashews on your behalf? I like them. I think pistachios are my favourite but to snack one, I don't think a walnut whip counts I hope everyone has had a lovely day, and a good start to the month. Sweet dreams, and skylark if you see this- I hope you soon feel well again

Good morning everyone. It's a dry and frosty morning. I like this kind of weather.

Thank you for my hug, Summer. I had intended to pop back last night, but got distracted by watching Silent Witness. Glad you a good night with your SiL. Garlic breath is not a bad thing, it keeps away the vampires.

Skylark, I hope you are feeling better and will soon be back with us.

Good morning everyone

 

Some rain overnight here, but now dry and sunny though a bit on the cool side.

 

My brother was due to come down this weekend but I came down with a bit of a cold on Thursday so rang him to let him know. He decided not to come as there are quite a few people who are away ill from where he works so didn't want to risk getting anything.

Good morning everyone, oh dear shame about the cold EL, I hope you aren't feeling too bad will your brother come down next weekend?

 

No definitely no vampires in this thread well done Summer.

 

It's a lovely clear morning, great visibility breezy and cold but dry Yay!

 

I am going to have my main PC rebuilt as soon as my computer guy is back from his cruise, interesting to see what he suggests.  He is talking about solid state hard drives   I definitely want to keep the sound system I have on it as it is marvellous, and hopefully this way I have the best of both worlds.

 

I saw a goldfinch at one of my feeders this morning, haven't seen one of those for a couple of years so good news.

Could I just pop in to say that Solid state is the future? Apparently the current sweet spot (price and memory compared) is a quarter of a terra bite or approx 250 GB. They have better performance due to the lack of moving parts. Try googling them PC World have done a test on them. Lots of variance in performance. Hopefully it will be a long time before I need one

Squiggle, my brother's next visit will be right at the beginning of March - he has to book time off work weeks in advance so he couldn't just switch from one weekend to the next. His libraries are open on Saturdays as well as weekday evenings.

 

My cold is mainly in my throat rather than my head which means I'm coughing and am not getting much sleep.

 

Solid state drives are relatively new and they may well replace hard drives in the future. There is a question over cost and reliability though these are improving. If you were to read the Wiki article you would decide to avoid them but that article is 2 years old and things have improved.

 

This is a link to an article from PC Format from December 2012 so I would have a good look through it to see what you think.

http://www.techradar.com/news/...-ssds-on-test-994095

EL I trust my computer guy.  He is brilliant.  He rebuilt my present PC 10 years ago and my grandsons tell me that until recently it was outperforming all their friends' PC's for speed.  He has also rebuilt my laptop and installed Windows 7 to replace Vista.  I shall keep XP though for the PC because I run so many programmes on XP that don't any longer run easily on a more up-to-date OS, although of course you can run in XP mode in Windows 7.  He says to avoid Windows 8 which in his opinion is designed mainly for touch screen tablets.

 

What are you taking for your throat?  Warm salt water to soothe and heal and honey to calm it down might help, hope you feel better soon, and that the coughing doesn't keep you awake.

Good afternoon, I'm having a sneaky lunch break, a very busy day so far! El.. I hope you're cough soon leaves I'd sooner have many other things before a cough, the night time thing drives me crazy! The only upside is that your abs will be well toned for it Mr summer is out walking with 9 dogs and family & friends, it's a beautiful sunny, cold day here and I'm very envious! Squiggle, I'm sure your computer guy knows his stuff so go with whatever he recommends as you know I'm an apple convert so the new windows technology baffles me slightly, but I'm certain that your pc will be amazing after its revamp Does that mean we will have to be without you for a little while?

El, I take Glyclerin, Honey and Lemon for a persistent cough. I hope yours gets better soon. Not too long to wait for your brother's next visit, and hopefully the weather might be nicer then.

Squiggle, good luck with the computer revamp, and as Summer said, I hope you will still have internet access whilst it is being sorted.

Joe, you may be interested to know that my marmalade making was a success. 

Summer, the weather up here is good for walking, it's chilly but bright and fresh. Hope Mr Summer and Bramble a enjoy their hike.

Skylark, get well soon, we miss you.

 

Oh yes you can't get rid of me that easily I'm on the laptop now and probably will be until the PC is fixed, all bright and shiny.

 I am delighted to hear it. 

Pleased to hear it squiggle we would be lost without you Yogi, where's our marmalade?

  You might need to fight my sons for some.

Glad to hear it. The more times you do it the better it is. I started with those small Marmade tins, but soon you get confidence and put any citrus fruit in. My last batch was a mixture of Orange, Lemon, Lime, and Clementine, with low sugar content. Over the years I have reduced the sugar and increased the fruit ratio by adding a little powdered pectin. We like it tangy. I was all set for jelly last year but there was no fruit. We have so many plum hybrids near here. They grow wild. Add a little ginger and Bob is your Uncle!

You can all have my share of marmalade, don't like it, I'm so generous

Thanks for the tip about the powdered pectin, Joe - and the mixed citrus marmalade sounds right up my street.  

Do you like strawberry jam. If so, I'll make some in the summer and save some for you.

Always worth looking in the chuckout. There were 8lb of strawberries there today. I would have had them but I don't have any jars left. I don 't like strawberry jam, but when you make jams, jellies, and marmalade you always have something to give.

Thanks Joe, I'll keep a look out when I'm next in Morrisons.

Thank you Yogi but as I am diabetic I have to really watch my sugary intake so I haven't had jam for years, although I do love it.

Hi all 
Feel a lot better thanks for asking x I spoke to the girls who own the shop and they apologised and said they will check in future how long they keep tuna thats been made for sandwiches. its not like them, plus they have certificates on the walls about the cleanliness of the shop. Just one of those things.If it had been EColi or the like it would have been reported, of course.
Sorry you not feeling well too El x 
Squiggle, you should check out the bigger Boots, they have a great jam range thats suitable for diabetics. My sisters hubby is diabetic and shops there for various foods that are suitable for his diet. Watched a film on C5 this afternoon...Mrs Caldicots Cabbage War. it was good. rather old but i hadnt seen it before. starred Pauline Collins and her hubby John Alderton was in it too.

Glad you're feeling better Skylark   and thanks for the advice but I have my diet sorted out without jam or sweets (I gave up chocolate about 18 months ago and all sweets really - I make an exception for Easter with a chocolate buttons egg for kiddies, just to celebrate the day).  It seems to suit me so I tend to stick to it fairly rigidly.

 

I've seen that film, it was good, I like that sort of thing.

welcome back skylark, I'm so pleased you're feeling better How's your computer now? Cheers yogi Squiggle I hope you've had a nice day

For El..in case you don't feel up to cooking tonight

Hi squiggle, thanks x
Yes, good if you havent a particularly sweet tooth, best not to bother at all x
You may remember back in October i went with a friend to ATOS.Only now has she had the report back and got 0 points. Which was rather expected. But the downright lies on the report is shocking. 
It stated she can get to her GP in under 5 minutes ,i checked Google and Limford Christie couldnt do it in that time. Plus was stated she can hang up washing, this was never asked! I have been making a list of things for her appeal , there are many things that they just changed the goal posts and frankly just lied. Disgraceful!! Putting in the appeal on Monday.

Hi Summer, computer ok just now, just old age really!
Still not having solid food  
How has your day been ? x 

Hi Skylark, welcome back.

I do remember you mentioning the ATOS interview, and I hope you are able to help your friend with her appeal.

Squiggle, I wish Mr Yogi was as self-disciplined as you are with your diabetes. I am constantly fighting a losing battle with him.

Summer, your pic has put me in the mood for toast and marmalade. I had a late lunch and haven't eaten any dinner and I'm starting to get peckish now.

Did Mr Summer and Bramble enjoy their walk?

El, I hope your cough doesn't irritate you too much and you manage to get some sleep.

Off to watch Borgen and then bed. Good night everyone.

Night owl hug for Summer.

Hi Yogi and goodnight!  Thanks x
Got a book from the Cancer Research shop , a few weeks ago.In hardback ..Maeve Binchey.."Nights of Rain and Stars". So off to my bed to start reading it. 
Havent spent much time this week with Granddaughter, so have her tomorrow to go off to some adventure! Lots of searching for slugs and worms no doubt! 
Take care all  

thanks yogi, hope you have a lovely evening Skylark, well done you for making that list, the report sounds an utter disgrace! I hope you & granddaughter have a lovely day out tomorrow, I'm sure she's missed you

Good morning everyone

 

Thanks everyone for your messages . I had a better night's sleep last night and was only woken once by a bout of coughing.

 

Skylark, I hope you'll be able to start eating solid food soon. I remember you posting about that ATOS interview with you going with your friend to act as witness to what was said. I wish her success for the appeal,